Ethan

Jane’s heat didn’t subside for three days.

It was hard to explain to the pups why we were always locked away in her rooms together, not to mention the various sounds they overheard. After the first night we had Linda come and pick them up, trusting her to take care of them until the worst had passed. However pups are always aware of more than we realize, and I’m sure we didn’t fool them completely.

At the height of my rut I reclaimed Jane the way I’ve been dreaming of doing from the moment she reappeared again. I sank my teeth into the scars of my old mark while her scorching heat enveloped my c0ck, and made her mine once more. It’s true that claiming marks are forever, but the bond always feels stronger the more often they’re reasserted, and I now feel more connected to Jane than I have in years.

Of course, as she predicted, she retreated from me the moment we left the plush lovenest she created in her room, doing everything she could to keep me at a distance after the haze of her heat wore off. I can’t pretend it was easy to accept. My wolf had been determined to make her feel our love so deeply that she’d never doubt our feelings for her again, but her trauma runs deep- and I can’t be mad when that’s my own fault.

The more time that passes, the harder it becomes to pay for the crimes committed by the man I used to be, but the more Jane opens up to me the more I realize she never stopped being the woman I abused. I got to reinvent myself and move on when Paisley was born, to put Jane’s supposed attack on my mother behind us.

However it haunts Jane to this very day, being a prisoner and running from me still defines her, because she didn’t escape it when we parted. It followed her.

By Friday l’ve returned to my office, leaving Jane to spend time with the pups and promising to watch them tomorrow so she can catch up on her own work. My desk at the pack headquarters is piled high with papers, everything I missed while Jane and I were indulging in each other’s bodies.

I’m about halfway through the stack when I come across the preliminary reports from the investigator I hired to look into Eric. Since Jane’s heat I’m both feeling less defensive about the man – knowing he’s never been with her that way – and more protective of my mate. Jane was so Vulnerable when she came to me that night, and I can only imagine how things might have gone if she’d chosen him instead. I don’t trust Eric to take care of her the way she needs, and I don’t like the way he’s been taking advantage of her trust.

R!pping open the envelope, I scan the contents quickly, my confusion and anger rising in concert. What on the Goddess ‘s green earth?

When I get home Jane is in the kitchen with the pups, and the moment l open the door Paisley comes running. I scoop her up into my arms, giving her a hug and a k!ss. “What’s the news, angel?” I ask her softly, eyeing her siblings, who hover near Jane and shoot me a few wistful looks. I can tell their dislike and anger at me is waning as time passes, but their loyalty to their mother is strong, and I certainly can’t fault them for that.

says we only has one more week.” Paisley pouts, “but Riley and the others aren’ so sure nymore.” She confides, snuggling into my arms. “I don’ wanna

her, “we won’t ever be apart for long. You have my

her new moving date, but that’s alright, because I haven’t told her l intend to follow when they go. I won’t keep her here against her will, but I also don’t plan on letting her

ago they would have pulled away from me with grumpy pouts and

another matter entirely. I attempt to catch her l!ps fora k!ss, but she turns her head away. Instead I lower my mouth to my mark, nuzzling her sweet-smelling hair and nibbling the red marks until

if we can talk in front of them. I shake my head gravely, setting Paisley on the ground next to the others. “I’ll tell you what kids, we have half an hour before dinner:”

wide eyes look up

right.” Jane grins. “Now run

happily glued to the colorful screen, Jane looks up at me.

bag, I hand them over to my reluctant mate. “| think you

flipping through the folder. She scans the first few pages, seeming to grasp the general theme. “You had

pups be raised by someone without looking into them first, did you?” I reply, arching my

She exclaims. I mean it would be one thing if we’d agreed on it first, but you must have known it was wrong if you felt the need to sneak

and you know it.”I tell her sternly,

nose into the air, “it’s probably a pack of

in the territory.” I explain grimly, “And you should really see what they

I imagine if someone had been watching me earlier, my reaction would have been much the same. The first few

that spot, her emerald-colored eyes

course it’s real.” I sigh, “look it up on the internet if you like. He did

wouldn’t he

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